Question of the day...... How can I adopt my wife or husband's child?

What is involved with doing a step-parent adoption?

People call me everyday and ask me about adopting their spouse's child.  This is called a step-parent adoption.

First in order to adopt your spouse's child - the biological parent's rights must be terminated.  This can be done in a number of ways....

1) The biological parent agrees to waive their rights voluntarily.... this is done by signing consents to the adoption......
2) The biological parent's rights are terminated due to abandonment - abandonment happens when a biological parent does not see or support a child - the period of abandonment varies by state - so you will need to check with an attorney in your state to determine if this is applicable...
3)The court system terminates the biological parents rights - this must be done with the assistance of an attorney.  Be prepared if this is the route you take you must be able to prove that the biological parent is unfit.....

Once the other biological parent's rights have been terminate you are ready to proceed with the child's adoption....

In most states you will need a family law attorney to assist you....

You will need to file a  Petition for Adoption.... There will be a hearing before a judge, and if all goes well an Order finalizing the adoption will be entered by the Judge....

In most states a home study will not need to be done

The average cost to do a step-parent adoption is approximately $2,000

If you have any questions just hollar - Hey Adoption Lady.....